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Category Archives: custom

summer solstice in Japan

The day on 22nd June was longest at the summer solsticen in Japan.

In Osaka,
Sunrise… 4:45am
Sunset… 7:15pm

In this season, people start to plant rice before (now start in May.).
There are a custom to eat ‘octopus’ in Kansai area to grow up the ear of rice like octopus tentacle!
On the other hand, people toast rice cake to offered to the god in Kanto area.

Actually I didn’t know these custom…

Anyway, the summer solsticen is a sign for start the summer！
And the rainy season will finish soon.
I can’t wait summer!!!

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Do you know how to use chopsticks?

Hold one chopstick with the index finger, the middle finger and the thumb,
in the same manner as when you hold a pencil.
Move the chopstick as you would to write.
This chopstick will be the upper one.
Put the other chopstick between the bottom of the thumb and the tip of the fourth finger.
The lower chopstick should remain still and you should only move the upper chopstick when you pick up food.

Let’s practice!!

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Japanese custom eat Ehomaki in Sestubun

3rd of Feb. is “Setsubun” in Japan.
If you missed my blog about Stsubun, please click here!

In setsubun, we eat “Ehomaki”.
Ehomaki is a long sushi roll which you eat all in one go on the night of Setsubun,
while facing silently toward the year’s “lucky” direction with your eyes closed,
wishing for perfect health and praying for prosperity of business.

You make ehomaki with seven ingredients, cucumber, shiitake mushrooms, seasoned omelet, teriyaki eel,
sweet fish flakes and kanpyo are rolled in seaweed representing the seven gods of happiness.
By doing so, people hope to bring happiness into their lives.

Actually, ehomaki had long been eaten in the Kansai area but the reason why it spread throughout Japan was, surprisingly, due to a sales-promotion by convenience stores in the early ’90s!
Also, research shows that 60 percent of people in the Kanto area still don’t eat ehomaki.

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The Last Day of Winter “SETSUBUN”

The Last Day of Winter, called “Setsubun”.
In 2015, 3rd of Feb. is Setsubun.

Setsubun literally means “division of seasons.”
It is used to mark the end of winter and summer, and is derived from the old lunar calendar.
However, “setsubun” has now come to mean the day before the first day of spring only.
It usually occurs around February 3rd. On this day, in a custom called mame-maki,
people throw and scatter roasted soy beans inside and outside their houses while saying,
“Get goblins out of the house! Invite happiness into the home!”
In Japanese “Oni ha soto! , Fuku wa uchi!”

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New year’s holiday in Japan

Most offices and businesses are closed during the first three days of January.
New Year’s holiday is also a time for big sales!
Department stores and malls sell lucky bags 『Fukubukuro』in Japanese
full of valuable goods when they open after the start of the new year.

This is all fukubukuro that my mom bought!
She bought 10 fukubukuro!!!

This is coffee fukubukuro. The price was 1000yen
But this fukubukuro has value around 3000yen I think.

The other one.
You want to see inside?
This is towel “Shu Uemura” total 5pcs inside. valuable!

If you have a chance,please come to Japan in New year and try to buy fukubukuro!

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New year’s day in Japan

January 1st is Japanese New Year’s Day 『Oshougatsu』.
We have a custom to send New Year’s cards to relatives and friends.
Many people think receiving greeting cards is one of the pleasures of the holiday.
And There are Number on Greeting card.
this is a lot!
Winning Number is announced by JAPAN POST CO.,Ltd.
1st prise…cash 100,000 yen!
2nd … set of japanese food like vegetable,fruits,meat…
3rd … stamps
This is a trial of luck of beginning of the year!!!

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New Year’s style in Japan

Most offices and businesses are closed during the first three days of January.
Families and relatives gather to celebrate the new year.

This is today’s menu!
Japanese sushi, Italian, Chinese… with Beer, wine!
This is cheese cake I made
Yummy!!

On New Year’s Day, people pay a visit to shrine to pray for happiness and good health.
But today was snowy with strong wind and cold so I could’n t go…
I have to go ASAP!
『Omikuji』 is a piece of paper which can be got in the most shrines during the New Year.
You can pick it up at random and on the paper, it is saying how lucky you are.
You might see in shrines many paper fortune is fastened to trees or ropes like this.
There are some explains for this custom and major one is like this.
“If the paper says you’ll have excellent luck this year, you should bring it on your person.
However, if it says bad luck might strike you this year,
you can fasten it up to a tree or a rope in the shrine and you can escape from the bad luck.”
This custom is stem from not only religious belief but traditional behavior.

I wish you a year full of love, joy and good luck!

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In Japan, 31st Dec. is called 『Omisoka』.
Omisoka means the last day of the year.
Most Japanese finish preparations for the New Year by Omisoka
including a very thorough end of the year housecleaning.
Then families gather to greet the New Year!

On New Year’s Eve midnight, at temples ring the bell.
This is called 『joya-no-kane』
The bell is rang 108 times because There are 108 of these desires.

Also, we eat 『SOBA 』 noodles with listening the bell.
And then people visit shrines,temples late at night to greet the New Year.
This is the traditional style of New Year’s Eve in Japan.

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Traffic rules in Japan

Do you know traffic rules in Japan?

The basic is…
Obey all traffic lights and road signs.
Pedestrians walk on the right side of the road.
Cars and bicycles drive on the left.
On the road, pedestrians’ safety is the highest priority.
Use your headlights when it is dark.
Do not drink and drive.
While driving, fasten your seat belt.
Children under 6 must use a child seat.
While driving, do not use mobile phone.

If you want to drive a car in Japan, you need below.
driver’s licence issued in Japan or
international driver’s license or
driver’s licence issued in Switzerland / Slovenia / france / Belgium / Monaco / Taiwan
attached with the document translate into Japanese

Car has to drive on left and always has to follow the signals and signs.
Before drive please learn more for your own safety!
Please click here!

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how to soak in the hot spring

Do you know how to soak in the hot spring??

1.Before enter the tub, wash your body.
2.Pour water your body and get used to the temperature before enter the tub
3.Don’t soak your towel and your hair!
4.Wipe your body with your hand towel before you go back to changing room.

When your body warms up, step out your upper body or breaks!
This is important!!

Sometimes,Wild monkeys come and enjoy open-air bath.

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